Fluid actuated directional drilling sub



4 Sheets-Sheet :1

July 29, 1969 D. l.. MAssEY FLUID ACTUATEU DIRECTIONAL DRlLLTNG SUBFiled Aug. 31. 196'? 7? w i V y j//w// Hl il l! Jury 29, 1969 D. L.MASSEY 3,457,999

FLUID' ACl'UATEl) DlHEC'IlONAL DRILLTNG SUB Filed Aug. 31, 1967, 4Sheets-Sheet I?,

/17 7' @HA/E VJ D. L. MASSEY July 29, 1969 FLUID ACTUATED DIRECTION/XLURIILNG SUB 4 Sheets-Sheet Va Filed Aug. rs1. 1967 UU/GJ MaJJ ey UnitedStates Patent O U.S. Cl. 175--61 14 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE Abendable sub for use with a bottomhole fluid-driven bit in a wellstring. The sub may be locked or unlocked in either straight or angledpositions through variation of pressure of fluid within the well stringand sub and by adjusting load of the drill string on the sub and drillbit. An orienting sub member for attachment to the Well string isprovided with a socket which receives a ball member formed on a mandrelslidable within a body -member secured to the orienting sub, the mandrelbeing in turn attached to the drill bit. The ball of the mandrel whichis slidable within the body member engages with the socket fordirectional drilling. Pistons within the mandrel engage apertures withinthe body member, such -pistons being actuated by pressure of iluidwithin the device.

Background of the invention The use of bottomhole fluid-driven bitssuspended on a well string, e.g. turbodrill systems, have come into wideuse due to their high speed capability resulting in faster drilling,better mud circulation and faster cleaning of the bottom of the wellbore. Another advantage of the turbodrill system is the elimination ofwhipstocks in directional drilling since the Well string does not rotateas in conventional rotary drilling but merely moves through the verticalplane by means of a draw works.

Present practice in deviating well bores when using turbo type or otherdrills having self-containing power units involve the use of rigid bentsubs attached to the well string and from which thevturbodrill issuspended. Once the drill bit on the conventional bent sub reaches thebottom of the hole, directional drilling is commenced by orienting thebent sub and forcing the drill bit into the earth in the desireddirection. Serious drawbacks in use of such rigid bent subs are apparentfor, if the bent sub is very large or if it is bent at a very greatangle, it will tend to stick or drag on the wall of the well 4bore whileit is being lowered into 4position to commence the directional drilling.Not only is time consumed when the well 4string must be pulled from thehole to add thebent sub when -deviation of the hole is desired, but thedragging action of the bent sub arrangement on the well bore tends tocause cave-ins that seriously hamper drilling operations.

Furthermore, quite frequently while lowering the well string into thebore, a bridged-over or caved-in section of the bore will be encounteredbefore operational depth is reached which would necessitate withdrawingthe Well string equipped with a conventional rigid bent sub and goingback into the bore with a straight hook-up to drill out suchbridged-over section. Naturally this operation is very expensive andtime consuming. In contrast, when the drill string is equipped with theadjustable bent sub of the present invention, the sub can be locked in astraight drilling position at the point of contact with the bridged-oversection which allows the operator to drill and clean out allobstructions and bridged-over sections as they are encountered.

,. lCC

Thus the present invention provides a sub arrangement which isadjustable downhole for either straight or directional drilling by mereactuation of pressure of iluid within the drill string and sub and byadjusting load of the drill string on the drill bit. Thus a straighthole may be drilled and then angled and vice versa without having toremove the well string and bit from the hole. Not only is VVthe wellbore maintained intack Without cave-in but time consuming removal of thewell string to add conventional rigid subs or other such angling devicesis eliminated.

Summary of the invention The present invention is directed to theprovision of an apparatus and a method for deiiecting a well bore byymeans of a fluid actuated adjustable sub which suspends a bottomholeHuid-driven bit from a well string. The adjustable sub generallycomprises an orienting sub member for connection to the drill string andhaving a socket at its lower end, a mandrel having a ball member at itsupper end for engagement with the socket, a .body member slidablyreceiving the mandrel and connected to the orienting sub member, andangle block means including a piston-spring arrangement Iwhich isactuated by pressure of fluid within the drill pipe to axially andradially position the mandrel within the body member for either straightor angled drilling. Fluid pressure within the drill string ismanipulated to lock or unlock the adjustable bendable sub devicewhereupon load of the drill string on the sub and bit coacting withpressure of fluid in the drill pipe adjusts the device of the presentinvention for either straight or angled sub positions.

The present invention thus provides an apparatus and a method fordrilling a straight well bore into the earth by means of a bottomholeuid-driven bit suspended from a well string by the device of the presentinvention. When directional or angled drilling becomes necessary, uidpressure within the drill string may be manipulated to unlock theadjustable sub followed by adjustment of weight of the drill string onthe sub and drill bit to shift position of the mandrel within the sub.The entire operation may be effected while the drill string, sub and bitremain downhole thus greatly reducing time required otherwise byconventional systems. Once the appropriate direction has been assumed bythe well bore, the device of the lpresent invention may be readjusted toresume straight drilling. Again the entire operation occurs while thedrill string, sub and bit are downhole.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a fluidactuated, bendable sub to suspend a bottomhole fluid-driven bit from awell string wherein such sub is locked and unlocked by manipulation ofpressure of fluid Within the drill string and adjusted by varying loadof the drill string on the drill bit lfor either straight or angledpositioning of the sub. The sub may be actuated without the use ofconventional cumbersome accessory equipment such as ball drop means,wire line actuated restrictive pistons and the like.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of adirectional drilling device for deecting a well bore wherein the deviceincludes an orienting sub member for connection into a well string atone end and having a socket at the other end, a mandrel having a ballmember at one end for engagement with the socket of the orienting sub, abody member slidably receiving the ball end of the mandrel and connectedto the orienting sub, and angle block means secured to the body memberand actuated by pressure of fluid within the drilling string as well asloading of the drill string on the drill bit to axially and radiallyposition the mandrel within the body member for either angled orstraight drilling.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide adirectional drilling device for deflecting a well bore having anorienting sub member with an axial passageway and adapted at one end tobe connected to the drill pipe with a thrust plate secured to the otherend for receiving a ball member, a body member also having an axialpassageway and secured to the orienting sub member to slidably receivetherein a mandrel having a ball formed at one end to contact the thrustplate, and a pair of angle blocks within the body member coacting withpistons slidable transversely through the mandrel upon manipulation oftluid pressure within the device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofdeecting a well bore being drilled by 4a, bottomhole fluid-driven bitsuspended from a well string by means of a fluid actuated bendable subwhich is adjustable by varying load of the drill string for eitherstraight or angled positioning.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a method ofdeilecting a well bore being drilled by a bottomhole Huid-driven bitsuspended from a well string by means of a iluid actuated locking subadjustable wherein the sub is bendable by varying uid pressure withinthe well string and loading of the drill string on the sub and drill bitto effect either angled or straight drilling.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent fromthe following description of presently preferred embodiments of theinvention, given for the purpose of disclosure, and taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings In the drawings forming a part of thedisclosure herein, like character references designate like partsthroughout the several views wherein,

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing the device of the presentinvention in a straight drilling position downhole of the well bore,

FIGURE 2 is a similar elevational view showing the device of the presentinvention in an angled position for directional drilling,

FIGURE 3A is a partial elevational view, partly in cross-section, of thedevice of the present invention,

FIGURE 3B is a partial elevational view of the mandrel shown connectedto a bottomhole fluid-driven bit device,

FIGURE 4 is a partial elevational view, predominately in cross-section,of the device of the present invention and more particularly the angleblock means thereof,

FIGURE 4B is a partial elevational View in crosssection showing thelower end of the mandrel of the present invention,

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5 5 of FIGURE 4Ashowing the piston means coacting with the mandrel and angle block meansof the present invention,

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the present inventionshowing coacting of wedge and angle block means,

FIGURE 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 6showing the pistons within the mandrel and wedge block means wherein thedevice is positioned for straight drilling, and

FIGURE 8 is a partial elevational view showing the angle block meanssecured to the body member of the present invention.

Description of the preferred embodiment The present invention generallycomprises a method of and apparatus for deilecting a well bore whereinthe well is drilled by a bottomhole Huid-driven bit commonly known, forexample, as a turbodrill. Such drill bit means is suspended from a wellstring by a sub device of the present invention which is capable oforienting the drill bit in either straight or angled positions foreither straight or directional upon manipulation of pressure of fluid .4within the drill string and sub and loading of the drill string on thedrill bit. The device of the present invention is best characterized asa fluid actuated locking sub which is adjustable by sliding movement ofa mandrel within a body member wherein the mandrel has a ball member atits upper end which is engageable with a corresponding socket member ofan orienting sub secured to the top of the body member. The orientingsub, mandrel and body members each have axial passageways therethroughfor communication of drilling iiuid from the well string to the drillbit, such fluid also acting on pistons within the mandrel for selectiveengagement with angle blocks within the body member.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, thereference numeral 10 generally designates the device of the presentinvention shown secured at its upper end to a conventional well string12 and at its lower end to a conventional turbo type drill 14. Thedevice 10 is illustrated in FIGURE l in a straight position downhole ofa well bore 16 wherein drilling has proceeded in a straight direction toa depth point 18.

FIGURE 2 is illustrative of the device 10 of the present invention in anangled position wherein the well bore 16 has been drilled from the depthpoint 18 in an angled direction resulting in a deviated well bore 16a.Although the representation in FIGURE 2 may exaggerate sharpness of theangle of the well bore 16, the illustration will facilitate descriptionof the method involved in the present invention as described hereafter.

The adjustable sub of the present invention is more clearly shown inFIGURE 3A as having an orienting sub member 20 adapted at its upper endto be connected to a drill pipe of well string 12 such as by aconventional threaded connection. The orienting sub member 20 isprovided with an axial passageway 24 for ow of drilling iluidtherethrough and at its lower end in a concave surface 26 forming asocket for receiving a ball member. Preferably the socket is formed of aconcave thrust plate 28 as shown which is secured to the orienting submember 20 such as by bolts 30.

A body member 32 securely engages the lower end of the orienting submember 20 such as by a threaded connection as shown and is provided withan axial passageway 34 for passage of drilling fluid therethrough andalso for slidably receiving the ball end 36 0f a mandrel 40. The bodymember is formed such that there is an inwardly directed annularshoulder 42 formed on the interior body wall within the axial passageway34 and intermediate the ends of the body member 32 to limit slidingmovement of the mandrel therein. As is more clearly shown in FIG- URES 6and 7, the axial passageway 34 at the lower end of the body member 32tapers on one side to are radially outwardly in a semi-circular,semi-elliptical cross-sectional configuration 34a.

With further reference to FIGUR-ES 6 and 7, the mandrel 40 terminates atits lower end for connection (such as by threads) to a lower sub 44 andthe lower sub 44 is in turn connected to a bottomhole uid-driven typebit represented generally by numeral 46 as shown in FIG- URE 3B. Themandrel 40 is provided with opposed apertures 48 and 50 (best shown inFIGURE 7) transversely of its longitudinal axis, each aperture havingannular seating shoulders 52 and 54 respectively adjacent the axialpassageway S6 of the mandrel. Such apertures slidably receive respectivepistons 58 and 60.

As shown in FIGURE 7 and as further shown in FIG- URES 3A, 4A and `8,angle block means represented generally by the reference character 62are secured in diametric relation within the walls of the body memberintermediate the ends thereof. The angle block means include a pair ofangle blocks 64 and 66 secured to the body member 32 such as by bolts`68, both angle blocks preferably being rounded at their respectiveouter surfaces to conform with the cylindrical conliguration of the bodymember. Both angle blocks have first and second apertures 70 and 72therein, the axis between centers of said apertures being at an anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the semi-circular, semi-ellipticalbore of the body member. A channel 74 on the interior surface of eachblock is provided to guide the pistons (the piston 58 as shown inFIGURES 3A and 8) from one aperture to the other as will be explainedhereafter. Each said aperture is further provided with an annularseating shoulder 76 adjacent the exterior of the block to limit outwardtravel of the piston therethrough. Secured within each angle block aretorsion springs 78 retained by spring pins 80, each torsion springhaving elongated arms 82 for contact with the outer ends of each pistonin order to yieldingly maintain each piston normally within the mandrel.It will be recognized, of course, that other spring means may be used asa helical spring wound around each piston acting against each angleplate to perform the same function.

Referring once again to FIGURES 4A and 6, the ball member 36 integrallyformed of the mandrel 40 is provided with a plurality of ducts 82extending from the terminal periphery of the ball to the axialpassageway 56 of the mandrel in order to permit communication ofdrilling lluid from the periphery of the ball to the interior of themandrel upon seating of the ball member with the socket or thrust plate28 of the orienting sub as shown in FIGURE 4A. The ducts 82 thus permitdrainage of drilling fluid contained within the axial passageway 34 ofthe body member when the ball member is seated against the thrust plateto eliminate iluid backpressure and facilitate the seating operation.Preferably, the ball member 36 is also provided with an annular undercutor relief 84 to further assist drainage of drilling fluid into theinterior of the mandrel during seating of the ball member with thethrust plate.

In order to properly align the mandrel 40 for sliding engagement withthe body member 32, a longitudinal slot 86 is provided in the bodymember in which slides a torque block 88 secured to the mandrel such asby bolts 90. Close tolerance of the wedge block 88 with the sides of thelongitudinal slot 86 thus causes the torque block 88 to prevent rotativemovement of the mandrel 40 relative to the body member 32 when atwisting or rotative torque is applied to the mandrel upon actuation ofthe drill bit below it. Thus the torque block 88 effectively reduceswear on the pistons 58 and 60 since otherwise the pistons would absorbthe torque.

Further secured to the mandrel 40 are wedge blocks 92 and 94 which areengageable with the body member in order to laterally stabilize themandrel 40 upon longitudinal sliding thereof within the body member. Asshown in FIGURE 6, when the mandrel 40 slides to its lowermost positionwithin the body member 32, i.e. the device of the present invention isin a straight po-sition for straight drilling, the wedge block 92 whichis slidable within the longitudinal slot 96 in the body member is wedged(by weight of the drill bit means and pressure of drilling fluid actingon the ball member of the mandrel) into and rests against an angled face98 within the body member to steady and maintain the mandrel in such astraightened position. However, as shown in FIGURE 4A, when the mandrel40 slides (byV means of load of the drill string 12 bearing down on thedrill bit means) to its uppermost position for engagement of the ballmember 36 with the thrust plate 28, the wedge block 94 engages an angledface 100 in the body member to force and maintain the mandrel 46 in anangled position for angled drilling so that when the fluid pumps areturned on the pistons 58 and `60 will be thrust into the apertures 72for angled drilling. v

Further provided toward the lower end of the mandrel 4) is a locking key102 secured to the mandrel preferably by a bolt 104 for lockingengagement with one of a plurality of keyways 106 provided in the topperiphery of the lower sub 44 as shown in FIGURES 4B and 6. Thus themandrel 40 which is connected to the lower sub 44 such as by threadableengagement is locked against screwable disengagement therefrom by meansof the key 102. It is preferred that a plurality of keyways 106 beprovided in the lower sub 44 so that the key 102 may be screwed into themandrel 40 to engage a keyway 106 at any radial point where the mandrellower sub joint is made up tight. As further shown in FIGURE 4B, thelower sub 44 in turn may be connected such as by threadable engagementof the self-powered drill bit means 14.

An understanding of operation of the device of the present invention isbest facilitated by a discussion of assembly of the tool. First, ofcourse, a suitable O ring seal 37 is inserted in an appropriate grooveabout the outside of the ball member 36 and the mandrel 40 is theninserted into the body member 32 by passing the mandrel down through theaxial passageway 34 of the body member until the ball member 36 isseated against the annular shoulder 42 as shown in FIGURE 6. Then thetorque block 88 is secured to the mandrel 40 and the pistons 58 and 60are inserted into the apertures 48 and 50 of the mandrel as shown inFIGURE 7. It will be recognized that the pistons 58 and 60 arepreferably provided with appropriate sealing means such as O rings 59 sothat the pistons are slidable within the apertures of the mandrel yetare sealed against passage of fluid between each piston and the aperturewalls in the mandrel.

Once the pistons have been inserted, the angle blocks 64 and 66 eachhaving springs 78 retained therein by spring pins are secured to thebody members 32 by means of appropriate bolts 68. Although it should nowbe apparent, both angle blocks should be installed so that the apertures70 of each angle block are diametrically opposed and the apertures 72 ofeach angle block are likewise diametrically opposed. Thus, when themandrel 40 is in its most extended position as shown in FIGURE 6, thedual pistons 58 and 60 should engageif the lower apertures 70 of eachangle block. When, as shown in FIG- URES 4A and 5, the mandrel 40 slidesupwardly within the body member 32, the pistons 58 and 60 slide alongthe channels 74 formed interiorly of both angle blocks whereupon thepistons engage with the upper apertures 72 of each angle block. Sincethe axis between centers of the apertures 70 and 72 of each angle blockare at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the body member,the mandrel 40 is likewise disposed at an angle within the body member32 as shown in FIGURE 4A and is steadied in such position by means ofthe wedge block 94 (which is then secured along with the wedge block 92to the mandrel) resting against the angled face 100 at the lower end ofthe body member.

As better shown in dotted outline in FIGURE 8, the channels 74 of eachangle block have a straight side 74a and an angled side 7419, the angledside being parallel to the axis between centers of the apertures 70 and72. Thus when the apparatus of the present invention is to be placed inan angled position, the pistons 58 and 60 travel upwardly along thestraight sides 74a of the channels 74 until the wedge block 94 contactsthe angled face 100 of the body member. When the apparatus is to beplaced in a position for straight drilling, the pistons 58 and 60 traveldownwardly along the angled sides 74b of the channels 74 until the wedgeblock 92 contacts the angled surface 98 of the body member. Such loci oftravel by the pistons coacting with the respective wedge blockseffectively reduces piston wear and facilitates adjustment of thepresent invention between straight and angled positions.

Finally, the orienting sub 20 is secured to the body member 32 such asby threadable engagement therewith. It is the purposeof the provision ofa thrust plate 28 secured to the lower end of the orienting sub 20 toreceive the load of the ball member 36 when the mandrel 40 is in itsuppermost position as shown in FIGURE 4A. Thus, wear of the pistons 58and 60 is significantly reduced when such pistons engage the upperapertures 72 of each angle block 64 and 66. In order for the pistons tobe properly aligned so as to freely slide within the apertures 72 ofeach angle block, shims (not shown in the drawings) may be installedbetween the thrust plate 28 and the orienting sub 20 and heldtherebetween by force of the bolts 30 which engage the thrust plate 28with the orienting sub. Then a conventional orienting sleeve 108 may beinserted within the axial passageway of the orienting sub for coactingwith an orienting mandrel (not shown) for use in properly orienting thedrill bit in the desired direction as is well known in the art.

In operation, the bendable directional drilling sub of the presentinvention as shown in FIGURE 1 is secured to a conventional well stringsuch as by threadable engagement of the orienting sub 20` with the lowerend of the drill pipe 12. Then the device 10, assembled as justdescribed and having the lower sub 44 secured to the mandrel 40, isconnected into a conventional bottomhole fluid-driven bit means 14.

It is to be understood, of course, that conventional drilling fluidpasses downwardly through the drill string 12 through the axialpassageways of the orienting sub 20, body member 32, mandrel 40, lowersub 44 and then into the drill bit means 14. Assuming then that straightdrilling is to be commenced, pressure of the fluid is reduced such as byshutting olf the fluid pump (not shown) at the well surface. Weight ofthe drill string 12 is taken off of the drill bit means 14 by suspendingthe drill string (such as with the usual draw works, not shown) so thatthe bit means 14 does not contact the bottom of the hole or object to bedrilled. Under these circumstances, the arms 82 of the torsion spring 78force the pistons 58 and 60 inwardly within the mandrel 40 to seatagainst the shoulders 52 and 54 within the .apertures 48 and S0 of themandrel. As a result, the weight of the drill bit suspended from thelower sub 44 pulls the mandrel 40 downwardly through the body member 32so that the ball member 36 of the mandrel rests against the annularshoulder 42 within the axial passageway 34 of the body member. The wedgeblock 92 then engages the angled surface 98 within the body member 32 tostabilize the mandrel 40 in a straight position as shown in FIGURE 6.Pressure of the drilling fluid within the axial passageways of the bodymember 32 and the mandrel 40 is then increased to overcome force of thetorsion spring 78 and act against the pistons 58 and 60 which are forcedoutwardly through the apertures 48 and 50 respectively in the mandreland into the lower apertures 70 with each angle block 64 and 66.Maintaining or increasing pressure of the fluid causes the pistons toremain engaged with the apertures 70 of the angle block. Straightdrilling may then be commenced by lowering the drill string 12 so thatthe bit means 14 contacts the bottom of the hole or the object to bedrilled, and further increases of fluid pressure causes the drill -bitmeans 14 to function and drill out the well bore 16 as shown in FIGURE1.

Assuming now that the well bore 16 of FIGURE 1 has been drilled to thedepth point 18 and it is desired to deflect angle of the well bore,again pressure of the drilling fluid and Weight of the drill string onthe drill bit are manipulated to operate the device of the presentinvention. Accordingly, pressure of the drilling fluid within the bodymember 32 ,a'nd mandrel 40 s reduced such as by turning off the fluidpumps at the well surface. Then load of the drill string 12 is permittedto bear down on the drill -bit means 14 with such drill bit meansresting on the bottom of the hole. By first reducing pressure of thefluid within the Ibody member 32 and mandrel 40, the arms 82 of thetorsion spring 78 force the pistons 58 and 60 back into the apertures 48and 50 respectively of the mandrel 40 whereupon weight of the drillstring 12 acting on the body member 32 causes the body member 32 toslide downwardly, or stated conversely, the ball member 36 of themandrel 40 slides upwardly within the body member 32 so that the upperend of the ball member engages and is seated against the thrust end ofthe ball member engages and is seated against the thrust plate 28 withinthe orienting sub 20 simultaneously with the wedge block 94 contactingthe angled face 100. Drilling fluid within the axial passageway 34 ofthe body member 32 caught between the outer periphery of the ball member36 and the interior wall of the body member 32 forming the axialpassageway 34 is vented through the ducts 82 into the axial passageway56 of the mandrel 40 so that the ball member 36 freely seats against thethrust plate 28.

Upon seating of the ball member 36 with the thrust plate 28, pressure ofthe drillng fluid within the axial apertues 34 and 56 of the body member32 and mandrel 40 respectively, is increased once again to overcometension of the torsion spring 78 so that the pistons 58 and 60 arepushed outwardly by force of the drilling fluid through the apertures 48and 50 respectively in the mandrel 40 and into the dual aperture 72 ofthe angle blocks 64 and 66 as shown in FIGURES 4A and 5. As before,maintaining or increasing fluid pressure causes the pistons 58 and 60 toremain in such outward positions to lock the mandrel 40 at an anglewithin the body member 32 as shown in FIGURE 4A. Further increasingpressure of the drilling fluid actuates the drill bit means 14 and.angled drilling may proceed as shown in FIGURE 2.

Of course, when angled drilling as shown in FIGURE 2 has proceeded tothe desired point, straight drilling may be resumed by manipulatingdrilling fluid pressure and weight of the drill string 12 on the drillbit means 14 as discussed previously with regard to straight drillingoperations. Straight or angled drilling may be ernployed intermittentlyat will merely by manipulating fluid pressure and drill string loadingas described resulting in vast labor savings since the drill pipe 12 anddevice 10 of the present invention need not be removed from the holeeach time the well bore 16 is deviated. The time and expense of makingtrips by removing stands of the drill pipe 12 is obviated which thoseskilled in the art will recognize as being of extreme significance.

It should now be aparent that the device 10 of the present invention maybe altered for use by varying angles merely by varying the degree of theangle of the axis between centers of the first and second apertures 70and 72 within the angle blocks 64 and 66 of the body member 32 relativeto the longitudinal axis of the body member with consequent varying ofthe angle of taper of the bore within the body member which terminateswith the configuration 34a. Of course, angles of contact of the wedgeblock 94 with the angled face 100 must be varied accordingly.Additionally, it is to be understood that the embodiment of the presentinvention described herein as having the angle blocks 64 and 66 separatefrom but secured to the body member 32 may be slightly modified by thoseskilled in the art whereby such angle blocks are integral with the bodymember.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out theobjects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as thoseinherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments of the inventionare given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in the detailsof construction and arrangement of parts can be made which will readilysuggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassedwithin the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A directional drilling device for dellecting a well bore, comprising,

an orienting sub member adapted at one end to be connected to a drillpipe and having a concave surface at its opposite end forming a socketfor receiving a ball member, said orienting sub member having an axialpassageway therethrough,

a mandrel having an axial passageway therethrough and terminating at oneend with an integral ball member of greater diameter than that of themandrel,

a body member having first and second ends, the first end securelyengaging about the socket end of the orienting sub member, said bodymember having an axial passageway therethrough for slidably receivingthe ball end of the mandrel and having an inwardly directed annularshoulder formed on the interior body wall within the axial passagewayand intermediate the ends of the body member for limiting sliding of themandrel therein, said axial passageway aring radially outwardly at thesecond end of the body member, and

angle block means secured to the body member and piston means Within themandrel coacting lwith the angle block means for axially and radiallypositioning said mandrel within said body member.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the mandrel is provided with opposedapertures transversely of its longitudinal axis, each said aperturehaving an annular seating shoulder `adjacent the axial passageway of themandrel, and wherein the angle block and piston means includes,

a pair of angle blocks secured in diametric relation within the walls ofthe body member intermediate the ends thereof, each said angle blockhaving rst and second apertures adjacent either end of the block with achannel therebetween on the interior surface of said block, the axisbetween centers of the rst and second apertures being at an anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the body member, and each aperturehaving an annular seating shoulder adjacent the exterior of the block,

iirst and second pistons each slidably positioned within an aperture ofthe mandrel for engagement with the holes and channel of an angle block,and

spring means for yieldingly maintaining each piston normally within themandrel.

3. The invention of claim l wherein the ball member of the mandrelincludes duct means therethrough for fluid communication between theterminus periphery of the ball and the axial passageway of the mandrelupon seating of the ball member within the socket of the orienting sub.

4. The invention of claim 1 including,

a longitudinal slot provided in the body member, and

torque block means secured to the mandrel for longitudinal slidingengagement with the slot in the body member thereby preventing rotativemovement of the mandrel relative to the body member.

5. The invention of claim l including wedge block means secured to themandrel for engagement with the body member and for laterallystabilizing said mandrel upon longitudinal sliding thereof within thebody member.

6. The invention of claim 1 wherein the outward radial flare of theaxial passageway of the second end of the body member assumes asemi-circular, semi-elliptical cross-sectional configuration.

7. A directional drilling device for deflecting a well bore, comprising,

an orienting sub member having an axial passageway therethrough andadapted at one end to be connected to a drill pipe,

a thrust plate secured to the other end of the orienting sub member,said thrust plate having a concave outer surface forming a socket forreceiving a ball member,

a mandrel having an axial passageway therethrough and terminating at oneend with an integral ball member of greater diameter than that of themandrel, said mandrel also having opposed apertures transversely of itslongitudinal axis, each said aperture having an annular seating shoulderadjacent the axial passageway of the mandrel,

a body member having first and second ends, the iirst end securelyengaging the end of the orienting sub member about the thrust plate,said body member having an axial passageway therethrough for slidablyreceiving the ball end of the mandrel and having `an inwardly directedannular shoulder formed on the interior body wall within the axialpassageway and intermediate the ends of the body member for limitingsliding of the mandrel therein, said axial passageway tiaring radiallyoutward at the second end of the body member,

a pair of angle blocks secured in diametric relation within the walls ofthe body member intermediate the ends thereof, each said angle blockhaving first and second apertures adjacent either end of the block witha channel therebetween on the interior surface of said block, the axisbetween centers of the iirst and second apertures being at an anglerelative to the longitudinal axis of the body member, and each aperturehaving an annular seating shoulder adjacent the exterior of the block,

iirst and second pistons each slidably positioned within one of themandrel apertures for engagement with the holes and channel of one ofthe angle blocks, and

spring means for yieldingly maintaining each piston normally within themandrel.

S. The invention of claim 7 wherein the ball member of the mandrelincludes duct means therethrough for fluid communication between theterminous periphery of the ball and the axial passageway of the mandrelupon seating of the ball member within the socket of the thrust plate.

9. The invention of claim 7 including:

a longitudinal slot provided in the body member, and

torque block means secured to the mandrel for longitudinal slidingengagement with the slot in the body member thereby preventing rotativemovement of the mandrel relative to the body member.

10. The invention of claim 7 including wedge block means secured to themandrel for engagement with the body member and for laterallystabilizing said mandrel upon longitudinal sliding thereof into the bodymember.

1l. The invention of claim 7 wherein the outward radial flare of theaxial passageway at the second end of the body member `assumes asemi-circular, semi-elliptical cross-sectional configuration, the longaxis of said ellipse `being at a right angle with the longitudinal axisof the pistons.

12. The invention of claim 7 including additionally,

duct means through the ball member of the mandrel for fluidcommunication between the terminous periphery of the ball and the `axialpassageway of the mandrel upon seating of the ball member within thesocket of the orienting sub,

a longitudinal slot provided in the body member,

torque block means secured to the mandrel for longitudinal slidingengagement with the slot in the body member thereby preventing rotativemovement of the mandrel relative to the body member,

wedge block means secured to the mandrel for engagement with the Ibodymember and for laterally stabilizing said mandrel upon longitudinalsliding thereof into the body member, and

semi-circular, semi-elliptical cross-sectional configuration assumed bythe outward radial flare of the axial pasageway at the second end of thebody member, the long axis of said ellipse being at right angles withthe longitudinal axis of the pistons.

13. A method of deiiecting a well bore being drilled by a bottomholefluid-driven bit suspended from la well string by means of a fluidactuated locking sub adjustable by load of the drill string for straightand angle positioning, said method comprising the steps of,

reducing the uid pressure within the Well string and locking sub andtaking load of the drill string off of the sub to unlock said sub from astraight position,

increasing load of the drill string on the sub to shift the sub to anangled position,

increasing fluid pressure to lock said sub in the angled position, and

, further increasing uid pressure to drive the bit.

14. The method of claim 13 including additionally,

reducing the uid pressure Within the well string and locking sub andtaking load of the drill string o of the sub to unlock said sub from anangled position,

decreasing load of the drill string on the sub to shift the sub to astraight position,

increasing Huid pressure to lock said sub in the straight position, and

further increasing fluid pressure to drive the bit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS U.S. C1. X.R.

